Overview
- Platner posted a video apology on Friday, attributing years-old Reddit comments to post-deployment disillusionment and saying they do not reflect who he is today.
- He previously described himself online as a “communist,” called police “bastards,” labeled rural white Americans racist and stupid, and made remarks minimizing sexual assault and invoking racial tipping stereotypes.
- DNC Chair Ken Martin called the comments indefensible, hurtful, and offensive but said they are not disqualifying and that the committee will not intervene in the primary.
- Political director Genevieve McDonald resigned on Friday, saying she had not known about the posts and could not support those words or values in a candidate.
- The controversy reshapes a competitive Democratic primary that now includes Gov. Janet Mills, after Platner’s early surge with endorsements from Bernie Sanders and several labor unions to face Sen. Susan Collins next year.